Congrats to the winner: Lisa
I love charities. The only challenge is that there are so many of them that it is hard for me to pick just one. Earlier this year, I attended an amazing luncheon for RBaby Foundation. While there, I was challenged to align my work with a charity that I really believed in. Since then, I have been trying to decide which charity I would choose. After much deliberation, I picked the obvious choice…HOPE Worldwide. I have given volunteer time and energy in addition to financial contributions to this particular charity for over 15 years. They have a variety of great programs, but my favorite is “The Saturday Academy” where they teach a variety of fun classes in needy communities primarily for kids, but sometimes for parents. (Years ago, I taught a parenting class and was so inspired by my adult “students”.)
Several of my friends are also involved with a variety of charities which I will highlight from time to time. (One of their charities might appeal to you more than mines. They are all good and worthy causes.) Here are a few that are on my radar at the moment. Please stop by and check them out. If you want to (and can afford to), please donate to any of them that tug at your heartstrings.
1. R Baby Foundation: I attended a luncheon sponsored by R Baby a while ago. (That is what set me on the search for “my” charity.) I was so inspired by Phyllis, who started the foundation with her husband after their baby daughter passed away after being misdiagnosed as having a common cold. The charity focuses on helping newborn babies suffering from viral infections and other infectious diseases, receive the proper care. Phyllis and Andrew really want to spare other parents the pain that they experienced. They are holding a Run/Walk on Mother’s Day (May 9th) to raise fund. Some of my friends are participating and you can support them
2. The Bread Art Project: Recently, my friend Jennifer invited me to an event for this project. It was wonderful to hear how the Grain Foods Foundation had partnered with Share Our Strength to help increase awareness of the growing hunger problem in the US. I am so grateful that my kids have no idea what hunger truly is and I hope that they never will. For every piece of art created at The Bread Art Project, $1 will be donated to Share Our Strength (up to $50,000). Here’s a piece that I created, “Yummy Times” (my kids were especially yummy at the time of the photo):
3. Help A Mother Out: HAMO’s mission is “to help improve the lives of mothers, children, and families in need one diaper at a time.” Diapers can be expensive. I can’t imagine not being able to afford to provide clean ones for my kids when they needed them. My friend Carole invited me to one of their events next Monday “NYC: Mother’s Day Diaper Drive Cocktail Party”. You can come too. Learn the details here.
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4. March of Dimes: The mission of March of Dimes is “to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.” My friend Christine is doing a 3 mile walk in Boston. You can support her “Team Boston Mamas & Friends” here.
Okay. That’s enough charities for today…five (including HOPE). Please visit any/all of them. As an incentive, I will be giving away the Nintendo DSi XL that I recently reviewed to a commenter. Simply leave a note in the “Comments” section below saying which of the above charities you visited and/or supported. (Even if you don’t have funds, you can visit the Bread Art Project and have someone else contribute a $1 to feed hungry children!) You can leave a comment for each charity that you visited/supported. I will choose a winner at the end of May.